Sunnyside City Council Briefs

At last week's Sunnyside City Council meeting, the payment
of vouchers in the amount of $886,370.86 was approved.

For those interested, the vouchers are available for review
in the office of the finance department at City Hall.

Council confirms

mayor's appointments

The Sunnyside City Council gave its approval last week to
Mayor Ed Prilucik's two appointments to various city commissions.

Council approved Prilucik's appointment of Patsy Maynard to
the Sunnyside Recreation Commission. The appointment of Maynard is to fill an
uncompleted senior citizen term that will expire on April 7, 2006.

Council also approved the reappointment of Theresa Hancock
to the planning commission. Hancock's term will expire April 17, 2009. Hancock
was appointed to the position on Sept. 1, 2004.

Council adopts credit card policy

At the Monday, May 9, meeting, the Sunnyside City Council
formally adopted a set of policies and procedures to coincide with state law
regarding official use of credit cards.

Under the policy, all city credit cards will only be issued
to authorized city personnel, employees and officials. Each department head is
authorized to allocate use of a credit card to employees. However, the city
manager approves issuance of credit cards for department directors.

Temporary employees of the city are not eligible to receive
a credit card.

The policy allows states that employees will allow any
unauthorized charges incurred on the credit card to be taken from their wages.

The maximum monthly amount allocated per credit card is
$1,000, including all taxes and other charges.

The city finance director is the only employee allowed to
authorize a replacement credit card in case of it being lost or stolen.

Abuse of the city's credit card policy by employees may
result in a variety of discipline actions, including termination.

Travel policy receives approval

At last week's meeting, the Sunnyside City Council approved
the adoption of a travel policy for city employees and officials.

Under the terms of the policy, all city related travel must
be approved in advance by the city manager or a department head. The city
manager will directly sign off on all travel related expenses for department
heads and City Council members.

The policy also dictates that the city is required to find
the least expensive travel options when figuring expenses, regardless of the
personnel making the trip.

Employees and Council members are required to fill out a
travel authorization form to be reimbursed for expenses.

City representatives may use their own vehicles when
conducting business upon approval of a department head or city manager.
However, the individual will be personally responsible for any traffic or
parking fines incurred. Mileage reimbursement will be paid based on the current
IRS standard mileage rate of 37¢ per mile.

The policy also outlines the meal allowance and the criteria
for such expenses. The allocation of money for meals varies depending on the
type of traveling that is being done.

The policy also highlights the type of expenses that will
not be paid for by the city, including the costs of taxi fares, valet services,
entertainment expenses, toiletries, clothing, personal telephone calls, the
cost of any alcoholic beverages and the costs of personal trip insurance and
medical and hospital services.

Personal telephone calls will be allowed when an employees
needs to make a brief telephone call advising family members of change in
travel plans.